Taryn & Ahmed
Wedding Party
Rachel James
Maid of Honor
Taryn and Rachel met in nursing school, with “Do I know you from somewhere?” They eventually decided this familiarity must have come from a past life, as they quickly became soul-best-friends. They bonded through the immense suffering that is nursing school, the ups and downs of being a twenty-something, and many existential crises. Taryn has said she certainly wouldn’t be where she is today, or the person she is today, without Rachel by her side along the last 12 years. 💛
Seema Patel
Bridesmaid
Seema is perhaps the longest-known of Taryn’s best friends. They met in middle school, bonded in high school French class, and really became inseparable as roommates during Freshman year of college at KU. Seema’s sense of humor kept the good times rolling as they learned about the world and themselves as adults away from home for the first time. Life has taken them to separate cities since then, but Seema and Taryn maintain that kind of friendship where they can immediately “pick up where they left off” whenever they see each other, as if they never missed a beat. 😎
Zaina Semaan
Bridesmaid
Zaina and Taryn met during a strange phase in each of their lives- that is, during an odd career stint in health insurance phone sales. They bonded in their despise of the scammy job and robotic quality of their coworkers. Once their self-righteous behavior got them both fired, they moved on to greener pastures (first through a lot of mud though). Their friendship, fun and humorous on the surface, became a place to confide and relate in their struggles and successes, giving and receiving advice, and “going to bat for each other.” Zaina is a fiercely loyal friend, and Taryn has said if she were ever caught in a fight, Zaina would be her first call! 👯♀️
Asma Gamal
Bridesmaid
The youngest and sweetest of Ahmed’s sisters, Asma’s first words to Taryn were, “So, you will marry Ahmed?” Fortunately, language barriers did not hinder Asma, nor the rest of Ahmed’s family, from showing their openness and support for Taryn entering the family. Asma and Taryn quickly became close, confiding secrets and discussing many things from differences among cultures to a bit of healthy gossip about Ahmed! Asma’s silliness and light-heartedness are a breath of fresh air, and she can often be found with her arms out wide through the sunroof of Taryn and Ahmed’s car yelling, “This is such a good feeling!!” 😇
Aya Gamal
Bridesmaid
Aya is Asma’s fraternal twin (older by 10 minutes) and thus another of Taryn’s new sisters! Aya and Taryn immediately took to each other, with the former preparing many meals for the latter who happily ate them. Taryn has spent several weeks in Ahmed’s family home, and Aya was essential in making Taryn feel accepted right away, helping her adjust to the stark contrast in culture and environment, sitting with Taryn and comforting her during bouts of homesickness, and offering insight into traditional marriage in Egypt.
Taghred Gamal
Bridesmaid
Tagred is the next eldest of Ahmed’s sisters, and closest in age to Taryn. Taryn is thankful not only for her goulash and banana pudding, but for her company, sarcasm, and realness during times spent in Ahmed’s family village. Taghred has taught Taryn much about what it means to be an Egyptian woman, wife, and mother. Her sense of style and good taste, along with the rest of Ahmed’s sisters, have also helped Taryn on many a necessary shopping trip in Dekernes, as Taryn’s clothes were really sticking out like a sore thumb in their home village. 😅
Nany Gamal
Bridesmaid
Nany is Ahmed’s eldest sister and almost felt like a second mother to him throughout his childhood. Thus Taryn has inherited another wonderful sister! Nany is a prime example of a strong Egyptian woman. She contains much wisdom and many life lessons, yet maintains a fun and humorous presence. Taryn feels lucky to gain such a family member and looks forward to spending more time with her and learning from her. 💖
Lila Taher
Bridesmaid
Lila is Ahmed’s sister-in-law and feels equally like another sister to Taryn. Lila has been a model figure for Taryn in learning how wonderfully close Ahmed’s family is. Lila and Amr (Ahmed’s brother) live in the flat above Ahmed’s parents as is tradition in Egypt, thus Taryn was lucky to be able to spend quality time with Lila, who opened her home to Taryn any time she should need something (such as a hot shower!) 🥰
Amr Gamal
Best Man
Amr is Ahmed's only brother and the second-oldest member of the family. He has great compassion and has persevered through the many struggles this life has brought his way. He is not just a brother; Ahmed also considers him a friend. With a significant age gap between the two, Ahmed often looked up to Amr as a father-figure during his youth.
Mazen Yasser
Groomsman
Mazen is one of Ahmed’s very best friends. He is also considered a brother to Ahmed, as they always consult about everything together and know all of each other's secrets well. Though they haven’t had this friendship since childhood, the depth of their friendship in the four years they’ve known each other has been sufficient for it to be called an eternal friendship.
Shaker Sharf
Groomsman
Shaker is another friend of Ahmed’s he met while working at the airport. Shaker is a hardworking and faithful individual and has proven to be a great friend to Ahmed. Funny enough, their first encounter was actually a quarrel, but ironically this turned into a great friendship!
Wael Fouad
Groomsman
Wael is the husband of Ahmed’s sister, Taghred. He is considered a brother to Ahmed. As he is of great character, Ahmed can always rely on his sound advice. Despite his old age (😜), he is still a good-humored friend to have around Ahmed and the family.
Ziad Mostafa
Groomsman
Ziad is the son of Ahmed’s eldest sister Nany. He is also a dear friend to Ahmed, as he is in the final year of his college education and very dedicated to his studies. Ahmed wishes him to marry a good woman like Taryn, and for them to join Ahmed and Taryn as travel partners in the future.
Mohamed Mostafa
Groomsman
Mohamed is Ahmed’s nephew, the middle son of Ahmed’s sister, Nany. He is also a friend of Ahmed's, despite his young age; he has a mature mind that everyone relies on as the go-to errand runner of the family! He also helps a lot with his mother's household chores, and Ahmed sees this as a very respectable. Ahmed wishes him to marry a woman who appreciates his efforts and takes over management of chores, allowing him to finally rest! 😂